The spokesman for the workmen expressed his thanks and arose to go, but Philip asked him to stay a few moments. He wanted to know at first hand what the man's representative fellows would do if the church should at any time decide to act after Philip's plan.
"Well, to tell the truth, Mr. Strong, I don't believe very many of them would join any church."
"That is not the question. Would they feel the church any more there than where it is now?"
"Yes, I honestly think they would. They would come out to hear you."
"Well, that would be something, to be sure," replied Philip, smiling.
"But as to the wisdom of my plan—how does it strike you on the whole?"
"I would like to see it done. I don't believe I shall, though."
"Why?"
"Your church won't agree to it."
"Maybe they will in time."
"I hope they will. And yet let me tell you, Mr. Strong, if you succeeded in getting your church and people to come into the tenement district, you would find plenty of people there who wouldn't go hear you."